Every year, the Academy honours former Oscar winners and nominees who have passed away since the previous award ceremony. It was the same with the 2023 Oscars.
Irene Cara, best known for her role in the 1980 musical “Fame,” and composer Burt Bacharach, who won three Oscars, were among the notable people honoured during the “Oscars In Memoriam” segment.
In addition to Wolfgang Peterson, a two-time Oscar nominee, and actors Angela Lansbury and Louise Fletcher, who both passed away in September 2022, French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard was also remembered.
The Oscars In Memoriam segment for this year was introduced by John Travolta, who has experienced his fair share of loss over the years. Diana Hyland, Travolta’s then-girlfriend, passed away in 1977 due to breast cancer. Despite moving on and finding love with Kelly Preston, tragedy struck again in 2009 when the couple’s 16-year-old son Jett passed away while on vacation.
After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis two years prior, Preston, Travolta’s wife of almost 30 years, passed away in 2020. In a Facebook post lamenting her passing, Travolta wrote, “She fought a heroic battle with the love and support of so many.”. “The love and life of Kelly will live on forever. “.
The “Hairspray” actor has shared his experiences dealing with his many losses over the years. According to Travolta’s previous statement to Esquire Mexico, “Grief is personal, and finding your own way to recovery is what may lead to healing.”. Nevertheless, Travolta gave a live demonstration of what suffering might look like at the 2023 Academy Awards, showing how much he misses his close friend Olivia Newton-John.
To his late friend, John Travolta remains “hopelessly loyal.”.
John Travolta delivered an emotional monologue that had him in tears as he took the stage to introduce the “Oscars In Memoriam” segment. He began by highlighting the value of honouring people who dedicate their lives to the entertainment industry and stating that it is a privilege for entertainers to follow their passion.
But after a few minutes, the “Welcome Back, Kotter” actor broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his late “Grease” co-star Olivia Newton-John.
“Each left a unique and permanent stamp that shared and informed us through their enormous contributions,” he said. “Hopelessly Devoted To You” by Newton 1978 John is about how they have touched our hearts, made us smile, and grown into good friends to whom we will always be hopelessly dedicated. “.
Travolta’s thoughtful act received positive feedback from his followers, with many taking to Twitter to share their gratitude. “John Travolta attempts to make your boy cry with his passionate Olivia Newton-John shout-out… Damn,” someone wrote.
John Travolta choked on his words, and I was destroyed. I bid you farewell, Olivia Newton-John. Sandy is and always will be my friend,” another user tweeted.
After Newton-John passed away in August 2022, Travolta paid a moving tribute to the actress who portrayed his love interest in the 1978 musical. “I absolutely adore you. We’ll catch up later and be back together. From the first moment I saw you until the end of time, I am yours,” he wrote on Instagram.
John Travolta and Olivia Newtin-John grew close over time.
Initially, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John had an on-screen romance, but it quickly became a lifelong friendship. In the 1983 movie “Two of a Kind,” in which they co-starred, Travolta and Newton-John returned five years after “Grease” hit theatres. Eventually becoming the best of friends, Travolta and Newton-John maintained their friendship.
So much so that the two of them made an effort to see each other as frequently as they could despite their busy schedules; in 2019, Travolta told US Weekly, “If I go see her in her performance, we hang out backstage, and I watch the show and everything.”. We typically have dinner together and catch up when I see her. And just recently, we discussed doing something jointly. “.
Newton-John previously discussed her friendship with Travolta and credited him with encouraging her to accept the role of Sandy in “Grease.”. “I couldn’t have done the movie if I hadn’t met John because I wasn’t sure I wanted to,” Marca reportedly said at one point. He convinced me. “.
Given the length of their relationship, it is not surprising that they have helped each other through difficult times. Newton-John once said, “[In trying times], John constantly reaches out to me.”.
“I’ve seen her lose her sister, get divorced, and have a child,” Travolta remarked. She witnessed my marriage and childbearing. It’s incredible and brimming with recollections. “.
